Nets-Rapts only first round east that peaks my interest.

Upsets in the making of course could change that.

Looks like Nets dropping to 6th to get Raptors than BUlls was almost by design. Bulls are always dangerous. Not that Toronto has not deserved its seeding!

djsunyc wrote:kidd all but tanked that last game to face us. it's a smart move. we are a rookie playoff team and they have all the experience on their side. not to mention the refs and the nba since they want heat/nets 2nd round. i expect us to lose the series in 6/7 but it will be a very tough series.

I hate the lottery... Not that it would have mattered even if we had a pick...

East:

Bulls
Raptors
Dislike/am uninterested in the rest, but I would like the Pacers to lose

West:
Blazers
Griz
Warriors

Looking at the above depresses me- it's going to be tough getting psyched for these playoffs.

IronWillGiroud wrote:raptors are in the playoffs??

that's cool as hell.

the last time i haven't followed the nba like this was in 1992 when i didn't know it existed.

You probably only got into the nba because of Bryant 'Big Country' Reeves- The Pekovic of his day!

I've found myself bored and uninterested this ball season- don't know if it's just because the Knicks were awful, but I haven't been this disengaged in years.

smackeddog wrote:

IronWillGiroud wrote:raptors are in the playoffs??

that's cool as hell.

the last time i haven't followed the nba like this was in 1992 when i didn't know it existed.

You probably only got into the nab because of Bryant 'Bog Country' Reeves- The Pekovic of his day!

I've found myself bored and uninterested this ball season- don't know if it's just because the Knicks were awful, but I haven't been this disengaged in years.

Big Country was definitely IWG's guy back in the day lol

(Disclaimers:the following statements are predictions not facts. The purpose is to simply share my thoughts about each matchup. I have no crystal ball nor do i gamble.) Desiree, I tried to keep it short!

======================
Clippers vs Warriors - I thought this was going to be a close matchup before I heard about the injuries to Lee and Bogut. So sad because now they will have to rely on the mighty jermaine oneal and maurice speights to defend "earthquake" blake griffin and Djordan (NBA leading rebounder). Even though the clips are not a low post team, those two can control the boards. The clips simply have too much fire power - with crawford off the bench and now Doc has added DEFENSE (please notice how they HEDGE on defense with a sense of urgency). The warriors have a chance because the injuries will force them to play small ball. That was when we saw the underachieving Barnes at his finest (when he played the 4 in last yrs playoffs). Collison will do his best to lock down curry. If Iggy is taking a lot of shots, then thats a bad sign for the warriors

Prediction = clippers in 6
===================

Brooklyn vs Toronto - At first glance, i thought this would be an easy matchup for the nets due to their experience. However, with experience comes old legs and THAT could be their downfall. The raptors are VERY speedy that loves to exploit the transition (lowry, vasquez,,derozen, ross). In the halfcourt, theyre not as dangerous but they run some nice sets to free up Derozen. I still think the nets pull it out..theyve been playing well and their vets are well rested. The big guard line up of Deron and Livingston will cause problems for toronto guards. Down low, Plumlee and Garnett are better than Amir and Big V

Prediction = Nets in 7
==================

Atlanta vs Indiana - its a disgrace that a team as bad as Atlanta would make the playoffs. With that said, they do have "some" talent (teague and millsap) and for the past few yrs theyve always matched up well with Indiana. I predict that Indiana will wake up out of their slumber and have a chip on their shoulder. The big 3 of Hibbert, PGeorge and Lance are just to good to lost in the 1st rd

Prediction = Pacers in 6
=====================

OKC vs Memphis = a very DANGEROUS matchup for OKC. Memphis plays arguably the best defense in the league (next to Indy and the bulls). Theyre EXCELLENT at controlling tempo and making it into a half court game. The opposite of what OKC wants to do. Normally i would say that this is a trap series but the reality is OKC has Kevin Durant. The future MVP is simply unstoppable this yr and wont allow a 1st rd exit. With a healthy russell, this yr the sky is the limit.

Prediction = OKC in 5
=====================
Miami vs Charlotte = the heat will simply annihilate the bobcats. Yes Al Jeff will give them problems down low but thats about it. Kemba will be neutralized by defensive on-ball defenders like chalmers and cole. The big 3 of lebron, wade and bosh will destroy them and most importantly get a chance to rest for the next rd

Prediction = Heat in 4
====================

Washington vs Chicago - i admire how the bulls always compete. i admire how they play elite defense. i admire how thibs makes something out of nothing. and i admire Jo Noah for defensive MVP. However these bulls teams always suffer from what i like to call "Thibbitis". It refers to PUSHING your team so hard during the regular season that they run out of gas during the playoffs. This yr, there's no Nate to bail them out (DJ augustin is a nice story but hes no Nate). They only have 2 players off the bench with NO depth. The wizards are simply younger, faster and now theyre more disciplined. I predict an upset

Prediction = Wizards in 7
=====================

Dallas vs San Antonio - dallas had an impressive season and dirk has showed us that hes still the man. However thats where the cinderella story ends. The spurs are just too smart, elite and talented to lose to this team. Monte Ellis might cause problems because the spurs dont have lock down defenders. However their team concept on offense and defense will get them past the first round

Prediction = Spurs in 5
======================

Portland vs Rockets - this will be a fun and entertaining matchup. I think the trailblazers peaked earlier in the season and like Chicago they became fatigued (no bench depth). Both teams play mediocre defense but I like Beverly to contain Lilliard and Dwight to contain LMA. The problem with portland is they rely on Matthews and Batum who are just streaky jump shooters. Meanwhile, Houston has Harden - an unconventional scorer and parsons.

Prediction = Houston in 7